Spring-loaded self-storing bib

ABSTRACT

A bib has a body portion made of hydrophobic, liquid-repelling material, the body having a neck aperture, a pocket for catching inadvertently dropped food and drink, and a spring member sewn into at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the body and/or pocket. The spring member may comprise a memory whereby the spring member resists deformation and returns to an extended shape when removed from the pouch. The body of the bib may have two ends that fasten together to form the neck aperture, allowing a user to easily wear and remove the bib. Additionally, the bib may further have a pouch coupled thereto wherein the liquid-repelling material may be folded and stored when not in use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 63/278,819, filed on Nov. 12, 2021, which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to bibs to protect clothing from spilledfood or drinks. In particular, the present disclosure relates to aself-storing bib with a spring-loaded pocket.

BACKGROUND

Eating while in a vehicle or on the road is prevalent in today'ssociety. Indeed, fast-food restaurants cater to the idea of eatingon-the-go. However, eating while seated in a vehicle is precarious asthere is typically not a table or tray to lean over. Additionally, thepositioning of the seat often ensures that dropped food will land eitheron the user's clothes or fall into cracks or crevices that are difficultto clean, such as between the seat and armrest. This results in stainedclothing and unpleasant smells from a vehicle if the food is notproperly retrieved. The experience becomes even more of a nuisance andembarrassment when one is working and must then present to a customer orbusiness associate with stained clothing. This problem is not limited tovehicles, but may be present for individuals eating from a table or deskas well. Additionally, some foods are more likely to create messes thanothers, leading a user to stain or otherwise soil their clothing, evenif a careful eater.

Further, individuals with diminished capacity or mobility, includingelderly individuals, often struggle to each and drink without spilling.This can often result in the need to change clothing, which can bedifficult for individuals and caregivers.

While bibs and aprons are commonly worn while cooking in the kitchen orused when spoon feeding infants and toddlers, such bibs are designedonly to deflect the food from the user's clothes, often then falling tothe floor. The additional mess is a hassle indoors, but the problem iscompounded when food is deflected to the floor or seats of the user'svehicle or to an office floor or other area. Additionally, bibs in theprior art have no mechanism for storage, or for remaining self-containedfor storage.

As a result, there is a need for a bib that is capable of protectingclothing, particularly for adults, preventing food from falling onto afloor, vehicle, or other unwanted surface, and that is easily cleanedand stored. The present disclosure seeks to solve these and otherproblems.

SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In some embodiments, a spring-loaded self-storing bib comprises ahydrophobic, liquid-repelling material having a neck aperture, a pocketconfigured to catch inadvertently dropped food and drink, and a springmember sewn into at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the bib.The hydrophobic, liquid-repelling material may comprise two ends thatfasten together to form the neck aperture, allowing a user to easilywear and remove the bib. In some embodiments, the neck aperture is fullyenclosed by being cut into the material, but may have a flexiblecircumference sewn on (e.g., elastic) so as to easily stretch around auser's head. The spring member (e.g., wire, plastic, or other springmaterial) may comprise a memory whereby the spring member resistsdeformation and returns to the extended shape when removed from a pouch.

In some embodiments, a spring-loaded self-storing bib may furthercomprise a pouch coupled thereto wherein the liquid-repelling materialmay be folded and stored when not in use.

In some embodiments, a spring-loaded self-storing bib may furthercomprise a deodorizer or scented coating whereby the odor of any food ordrink spilled on the spring-loaded self-storing bib during use may beneutralized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a front elevation view of a spring-loadedself-storing bib;

FIG. 1B illustrates a front elevation view of a spring-loadedself-storing bib;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear elevation view of a spring-loaded self-storingbib;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top, front perspective view of a spring-loadedself-storing bib;

FIG. 4 illustrates a left side perspective view of a spring-loadedself-storing bib, the right side being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 5 . illustrates a spring-loaded self-storing bib folded into itsself-storage pouch;

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear elevation view of a spring-loaded self-storingbib;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top, front perspective view of a spring-loadedself-storing bib;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevation view of a spring-loaded self-storingbib folded into its self-storage pouch; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a front perspective view of a spring-loadedself-storing bib in use on a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions depict only example embodiments and are notto be considered limiting in scope. Any reference herein to “theinvention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exactfeatures or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodimentsdisclosed in the present specification. References to “one embodiment,”“an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate thatthe embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature,structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarilyincludes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further,repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,”do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Reference to the drawings is done throughout the disclosure usingvarious numbers. The numbers used are for the convenience of the drafteronly and the absence of numbers in an apparent sequence should not beconsidered limiting and does not imply that additional parts of thatparticular embodiment exist. Numbering patterns from one embodiment tothe other need not imply that each embodiment has similar parts,although it may.

Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to beillustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention,which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any andall equivalents thereof. Although specific terms are employed herein,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, suchterms are intended to be given their broad, ordinary, and customarymeaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industryand without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafterdescribed. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one ormore items. When used herein to join a list of items, the term “or”denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality ofitems of the list. For exemplary methods or processes, the sequenceand/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and notrestrictive.

It should be understood that the steps of any such processes or methodsare not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence,arrangement, or with any particular graphics or interface. Indeed, thesteps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried outin various sequences and arrangements while still falling within thescope of the present invention.

The term “coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in directphysical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or moreelements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet stillcooperate or interact with each other.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as usedwith respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intendedas “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as“including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpretedas “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as“includes, but is not limited to,” etc.).

As previously discussed, there is a need for a bib that is capable ofprotecting clothing, particularly for adults, preventing food fromfalling onto a floor, vehicle, or other unwanted surface, and that iseasily cleaned and stored. The spring-loaded self-storing bib disclosedherein solves these and other problems.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-5 , a spring-loadedself-storing bib 100 comprises a liquid-repelling material 102 having aneck aperture 104, a pocket 106 configured to catch inadvertentlydropped food and drink, and a spring member 108 (e.g., wire, plastic, orother spring-like material) sewn into at least a portion of an outerperimeter and/or the pocket 106 of the spring-loaded self-storing bib100. The liquid-repelling material 102 may comprise a first member 110and a second member 112 that fasten together via a fastener 114 (e.g.,hook and loop, snaps, buckle, magnets, etc.) to form the neck aperture104, allowing a user to wear and remove the spring-loaded self-storingbib easily. In one example, a button 115 may be located on the firstmember 110 with a hoop 117 coupled to the second member 112, the hoopconfigured to loop around the button 115 to couple the first member 110to the second member 112. However, other coupling mechanisms may beused. While two members 110, 112 are shown as fastening together to formthe neck aperture 104 in FIG. 1A, it will be appreciated that, instead,the aperture 104 may be cut from one continuous piece of material 102,as shown in FIG. 1B. In some embodiments, the aperture 104 may comprisean elastic perimeter 105, allowing the aperture 104 to stretch around auser's head while retracting to a smaller diameter when around the neck.

It will be appreciated that the liquid-repelling material 102 may beinherently liquid-repelling, such as polyurethane laminate, nylontaffeta, polyester composites, other polymers, silicones, etc., or maybe any standard textile (e.g., cotton) with a liquid-repellant coatingapplied thereon. The liquid-repelling material may be hydrophobic oromniphobic, resisting interaction with most kinds of liquids. While aliquid-repelling property of the material 102 is preferred, it is notrequired, and other materials may be used without departing herefrom.Furthermore, the liquid-repelling material 102 may comprise a deodorizeror scented application whereby the odor of any food or drink spilled onthe spring-loaded self-storing bib 100 during use may be neutralized.

Additionally, the spring-loaded self-storing bib 100 may furthercomprise a storage pouch 116 (FIGS. 2 and 5 ) coupled thereto (e.g.,sewn, snaps, hook and loop, magnets, etc.) wherein the liquid-repellingmaterial 102 may be folded and stored when not in use, as shown in FIG.5 . This makes the spring-loaded self-storing bib 100 easy to store andtransport for use. For example, a user may store the spring-loadedself-storing bib 100 in the vehicle glove box, armrest console,cupboard, drawer, or even a work bag without taking up space andappearing unsightly. Likewise, on business, trips, a user may pack thespring-loaded self-storing bib 100 in luggage. Additionally, if food ordrink was spilled on the spring-loaded self-storing bib 100 during use,particularly during travel away from home, the spring-loadedself-storing bib 100 may be folded and stored within the pouch 116 toensure that any mess may be contained within the pouch 116 and not comeinto contact with other surfaces, such as the car, clothing, documents,etc. The user may then easily open and clean the spring-loadedself-storing bib 100 when convenient.

The spring member 108 may have memory whereby the spring member 108resists deformation and returns to its extended shape when removed fromthe pouch 116 (or otherwise not under pressure). Due to the springmember 108 sewn into at least a portion of the pocket 106, thespring-loaded self-storing bib 100 is ready for use very quickly (onceremoved from the pouch 116, the spring member 108 extends), expandingthe pocket 106 and/or the body portion 111, ensuring not only adequateprotection from spills, but that any dropped food or drink is caughtwithin the pocket 106. In other words, as best shown in FIG. 3 , thepocket 106 may comprise a top edge 107 that comprises the spring member108 therein, allowing the pocket opening 109 to extend generally arcuatefrom the body portion 111 to ensure that any spilled food or drink iscaptured by the pocket opening 109. When a user is finished using thespring-loaded self-storing bib 100, the user may coil or bend the springmember 108 so that the material 102 with the pocket 106 is receivedentirely within the pouch 116. Accordingly, when removed from the pouch116, the spring member 108 uncoils or naturally extends, expanding thebody portion 111 and the pocket opening 109 to ensure it is ready foruse or cleaning. It will be appreciated that the spring member 108 maybe in the top edge 107 of the pocket, in the outer periphery of the bodyportion 111, or both.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 6-9 , a spring-loadedself-storing bib 200 comprises a liquid-repelling material 202 having aneck aperture 204, a pocket 206 configured to catch inadvertentlydropped food and drink, and, as best seen in FIG. 7 , a spring member208 sewn into at least a portion of a top edge 207 of the pocket 206 ofthe spring-loaded self-storing bib 200, allowing the pocket opening 210to extend generally arcuate from the body portion 212 to ensure that anyspilled food or drink is captured by the pocket 206 via pocket opening210. In some embodiments, the spring member 208 is a flat spring madefrom flat metal stock or other metal, such as 301 stainless steel orhigh-carbon steel. In some embodiments, the spring member 208 comprisesmetal, plastic, epoxy composites, carbon fibers, or other materials withspring characteristics (e.g., has memory to return to pre-configured,extended position) or other spring materials known in the art ofsprings. The spring member 208 may be flexible enough to bend duringstorage (i.e., compress when a load is applied), but rigid enough toextend during use (i.e., release when the load is removed), where it maybe constrained into an arcuate shape via the top edge 207. Top edge 207extends substantially perpendicularly and arcuate in relation to thebody portion 212. In other words, the top edge 207 is coupled to a firstside of the body portion 212 and to a second side of the body portion212, with the spring member 208 forming the top edge 207 into a pocketopening 210. The body portion 212 may comprise a first member 214 and asecond member 216 that fasten together via magnets 218A-B or otherfastening mechanism (e.g., hook and loop, snaps, buckle, etc.) to formthe neck aperture 204, allowing a user to wear and remove thespring-loaded self-storing bib 200 easily.

Returning to FIG. 6 , the body portion 212 may further comprise astorage pouch 220, wherein the storage pouch is sewn or otherwisecoupled to the body portion 212 on a first side 222, a second side 224,and a bottom 226. A top edge 228 creates an opening wherein the bodyportion 212 and the pocket 206 may be folded and stored. To effectuateproper storage, the spring member 208, within the top edge 207, iscoiled and inserted into the storage pouch 220, allowing the pocket 206and body portion 212 to be stored within the storage pouch 220, asillustrated in FIG. 8 . To ensure that the front surface 213 (FIG. 7 ),which is subject to receiving spills, is not left exposed to contaminateother surfaces, the storage pouch 220 is inverted to receive the bodyportion 212 and pocket 206, thereby ensuring that any portions leftexposed during storage, as shown in FIG. 8 , have not come into contactwith food or drink. In other words, only the back surface 215 and pouch220 are exposed. This solves a need not currently solved by the priorart. In other words, bibs of the prior art do not have storage pouch toallow them to be folded and stored when not in use—or, more importantly,after use. In other words, if a user has spilled food and drink on thespring-loaded self-storing bib 200 while in a vehicle, chair, desk,table, or other location where it cannot be washed, the spring-loadedself-storing bib 200 may be folded such that the spilled food and drinkare enclosed within the storage pouch 220, ensuring that the food anddrink do not come into contact with clothes, seats, or other surfaces,maintaining a clean space. Once the user is able, such as when theyreturn home if used elsewhere, the spring-loaded self-storing bib 200may be withdrawn from the storage pouch 220 and washed.

Referring to FIG. 9 , when desired for the next use, a user willwithdraw the body portion 212 and pocket 206 from the storage pouch 220.Once released, and due to the spring characteristics, the spring member208 will extend to form the pocket opening 210 and will remain generallyextended arcuate in relation to a user. This ensures that the pocket 206is ready to catch any spilled food or drink through the pocket opening210, which likewise overcomes the prior art (which lacks a spring memberto ensure any pocket opening is open and ready to receive spilled foodand drink). This can be important when a user is seated without a table,and is unable to hold the pocket opening with either hand—a common issuewith the prior art. Further, for bibs in the art that have pockets forcatching food/drink, they are incapable of being coiled into a storagepouch due to the materials of manufacture and a lack of a pouch.Further, the prior art has focused on bibs for children and has failedto produce a bib of adequate size and features to accommodate an adult,which is solved by the present disclosure. In order to remain small andeasily storable, the spring-loaded self-storing bib 200 may bemanufactured from thin textiles with hydrophobic qualities or withhydrophobic compositions adhered thereto, or from other hydrophobicmaterials that are capable of being folded into a storage pouch 220.

Therefore, the spring-loaded self-storing bib 100, 200 disclosed hereinsolves the need in the art for a spring-loaded self-storing bib that iscapable of protecting clothing, particularly for adults, preventing foodfrom falling onto a floor, vehicle, or other unwanted surface, and thatis easily cleaned and stored, by comprising liquid-repelling material102, 202 a pocket 116, 206, spring member 108, 208 to ensure adequatecoverage and that the pocket 116, 206 remains open, and a self-storingpouch 116, 220 when not in use or to store soiled surfaces from spills.

It will be appreciated that systems and methods according to certainembodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, orotherwise comprise properties or features (e.g., components, members,elements, parts, and/or portions) described in other embodiments.Accordingly, the various features of certain embodiments can becompatible with, combined with, included in, and/or incorporated intoother embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certainfeatures relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosureshould not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of saidfeatures to the specific embodiment unless so stated. Rather, it will beappreciated that other embodiments can also include said features,members, elements, parts, and/or portions without necessarily departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure.

Moreover, unless a feature is described as requiring another feature incombination therewith, any feature herein may be combined with any otherfeature of a same or different embodiment disclosed herein. Furthermore,various well-known aspects of illustrative systems, methods, apparatus,and the like are not described herein in particular detail in order toavoid obscuring aspects of the example embodiments. Such aspects are,however, also contemplated herein.

Exemplary embodiments are described above. No element, act, orinstruction used in this description should be construed as important,necessary, critical, or essential unless explicitly described as such.Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described indetail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatmany modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages herein.Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spring-loaded self-storing bib, comprising: abody portion; a first member extending from the body portion on a firstside; a second member extending from the body portion on a second sideopposite the first side; a fastening mechanism configured to secure thefirst member to the second member; a neck aperture positioned betweenthe first member and the second member; a pocket comprising an outerperimeter, the outer perimeter further comprising a spring member sewninto at least a portion of a top edge to form a pocket opening; and aself-storing pouch coupled to a rear surface of the body portion, theself-storing pouch configured to receive the body portion and the pockettherein.
 2. The spring-loaded, self-storing bib of claim 1, furthercomprising a hydrophobic, liquid-repellant material or coating.
 3. Thespring-loaded self-storing bib of claim 1, wherein the body portion ismade of silicone.
 4. The spring-loaded self-storing bib of claim 1,wherein the fastening mechanism comprises magnets.
 5. The spring-loadedself-storing bib of claim 1, wherein the spring member is sewn into theperimeter of the body portion.
 6. The spring-loaded self-storing bib ofclaim 5, wherein the spring member is configured to resist deformationand return to an extended shape when removed from the self-storingpouch.
 7. The spring-loaded self-storing bib of claim 1, wherein the topedge of the pocket is arcuate in shape and configured to catchinadvertently dropped food and drink in the pocket opening.
 8. Thespring-loaded self-storing bib of claim 1, wherein the body portioncomprises a deodorizer or scented coating configured to neutralize odorsof food or drink spilled on the spring-loaded self-storing bib.
 9. Aspring-loaded, self-storing bib comprising: a body portion comprising ahydrophobic, liquid-repelling material or coating; a first memberextending from the body portion on a first side; a second memberextending from the body portion on a second side opposite the firstside; magnets configured to secure the first member to the secondmember; a neck aperture positioned between the first member and thesecond member; a pocket comprising an outer perimeter, the outerperimeter further comprising a spring member enclosed in a top edge ofthe outer perimeter; and a self-storing pouch configured to receive thebody portion and the pocket during storage.
 10. The spring-loadedself-storing bib of claim 9, wherein the spring member is configured toresist deformation and to return to an extended configuration.
 11. Thespring-loaded self-storing bib of claim 9, wherein the body portioncomprises a deodorizer or scented coating configured to neutralize odorsof food or drink spilled on the spring-loaded self-storing bib.
 12. Amethod of using a spring-loaded self-storing bib, the method comprising:placing a neck of a user in a neck aperture and securing thespring-loaded self-storing bib to the user via magnetically coupling afirst magnet in a first member to a second magnet in a second member;placing a body portion on a front of the user's body, the body portioncomprising a hydrophobic, liquid-repelling material or coating;utilizing a pocket to catch spilled food or drink, the pocket comprisinga top edge, the top edge comprising a spring member therein andconfigured extend the top edge outwardly from the body portion in agenerally arcuate shape, forming a pocket opening, wherein the springmember is configured to resist deformation; and storing thespring-loaded self-storing bib in a self-storing pouch, the self-storingpouch coupled to a back surface of the body portion and configured toreceive a front surface of the body portion and the pocket of thespring-loaded, self-storing bib during storage, ensuring the contents ofthe pocket are fully enclosed.
 13. The spring-loaded self-storing bib ofclaim 12, wherein the neck aperture comprises an elastic perimeter. 14.The spring-loaded self-storing bib of claim 12, wherein the body portioncomprises a deodorizer or scented coating configured to neutralize odorsof food or drink spilled on the spring-loaded self-storing bib.